Phone events are appealing because they don’t require specialized equipment or an investment in technology. All you need is:

A spreadsheet with the names and phone numbers of the participants

A host or panel of speakers

2-3 Screeners, depending on the size of your audience

Telephones for the host and screeners (landlines preferred)

Computers for the host and screeners to view the live interface

What is the ideal length of a phone event?

Most phone events are 60 minutes. If your list contains more than 100,000 participants then your session will be 90 minutes to ensure that everyone is called.

What are the federal “Do Not Call” guidelines?

The federal guidelines are as follows:

The National Do Not Call Registry applies to any plan, program, or campaign to sell goods or services through interstate phone calls. This includes telemarketers who solicit consumers, often on behalf of third party sellers. It also includes sellers who provide, offer to provide, or arrange to provide goods or services to consumers in exchange for payment.

The National Do Not Call Registry does not limit calls by political organizations, charities, or telephone surveyors.

A telemarketer or seller may call a consumer with whom it has an established business relationship for up to 18 months after the consumer's last purchase, delivery, or payment - even if the consumer's number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. In addition, a company may call a consumer for up to three months after the consumer makes an inquiry or submits an application to the company. And if a consumer has given a company written permission, the company may call even if the consumer's number is on the National Do Not Call Registry.

One caveat: if a consumer asks a company not to call, the company may not call, even if there is an established business relationship. Indeed, a company may not call a consumer - regardless of whether the consumer's number is on the registry - if the consumer has asked to be put on the company's own do not call list.

This technology is used by hundreds of Members of Congress for constituent relations, President Obama to communicate with supporters, numerous professional sports teams as a benefit for season ticket holders, and associations to reach members.